Griffin Vulture Project - Proyecto de Canyet - Alcoy, Spain

On Thursday 30th April we travelled to Alcoy with the primary objective of visiting the Proyecto de Canyet situated in an old quarry called Cliffs of Cinta de Alcoy to see the Griffin Vultures there.

After passing through Alcoy and passing through some beautiful green rural areas we stopped at the last junction before reaching the vultures. We could clearly hear a Golden Oriel calling and then we saw a male fly along a line of trees.

On reaching the parking area there was a male Crossbill singing from a wire. As we entered the track leading up to the site we saw a brilliantly coloured male Dartford Warbler with a female flying close by. Further up we stopped to see a Wood Lark in a tree and then we saw a male and female in front of us on the track. These were a first for me. A little further there were Short-toed Treecreepers. Once at the vulture site they were easily to be seen and photographed. Also two Ravens flew around. From the road we could see Jays flying and a Rock Bunting was seen.

There was a lot of activity with both movement and song in this woodland and all I have recorded here are birds that were first sightings for this week.

We then travelled to Font Roja in an attempt to add to Dennis's list. Both Blue Tits and Robins soon obliged. We were then fortunate to watch a pair of Firecrests. Unfortunately raptors were not seen, but they had to be somewhere.

This location is high on a mountain and it does take some time to go there along a windy road, some 8 kilometers long. We went there for the specific purpose of adding more birds to the list. The views are excellent and it is always possible that a raptor could fly over head. There is a restaurant and a school there and consequently it can be noisy, but the birds do not seem to mind although it will add difficulty to hearing the calls of the birds. If you have plenty of time there is space to sit, watch and wait and even eat your banquettes. You can even crumble some bread or cake to see what birds can take advantage of your treats.

Later we saw (just one) Azure-winged Magpie fly into a tree and away again. This one bird being another first for Dennis. His count for these past four days now stands at a very good total of well in excess of 120 which we will increase at Hondon on Saturday morning.